Kobe Bryant won the game — and social media.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban floated the idea on the radio about the Lakers using their amnesty, cost-cutting provision to cut Kobe Bryant this summer.
Purely hypothetical, and actually a logical example of the sort of business decision there is to be made in the new NBA economic climate, but the Lakers sure aren't doing it — and Bryant sure didn't appreciate it.
"Amnesty THAT," Bryant offered via his @kobebryant Twitter account after delivering 38 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the Lakers' 103-99 victory over the Mavericks on Sunday.
Bryant also made a mention of it in his postgame interviews in the locker room, expressing respect for longtime Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki (and his 30-point game Sunday) and calling him "one of my all-time favorites."
"I'm sure if he wants to amnesty Dirk, that's something that we'll entertain," Bryant said.
Cuban's response from his @mcuban Twitter account, which he used to show all sorts of venomous comments directed his way from Lakers fans, was two-fold:
1. "Nice to know there is a least one team and their players, outside of the Mavs, that listen to everything I say."
2. "But I do have to give props to @kobebryant for a great tweet. #Welldone."
Cuban had said on ESPN Radio in Dallas on Friday: "If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you've got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe? You just don't know, right? It's the same reason I wouldn't get rid of Dirk.
"I'll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk. That's just it. I've made that commitment to him over the years, and he's returned that commitment. Maybe that's selfish, but that's just the way it is. So I'm just saying that hypothetically. When I say, 'Amnesty Kobe,' I don't think they'd do it, but they've got some choices to make. Now, they're in a big market, but they're still limited. The Knicks, the same thing. Boston, same thing."